Pubdate: Sun, 24 May 2009
Source: Times Herald, The (Port Huron, MI)
Copyright: 2009 The Times Herald
Contact: http://www.thetimesherald.com/customerservice/contactus.html
Website: http://www.thetimesherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2570
Author: Glenn Vandrese

DON'T LEGALIZE POT FOR REVENUE ENHANCEMENT

I support the legalization of marijuana and hemp. I disagree that we 
should legalize marijuana for the purpose of tax revenue (or 
cost-cutting by freeing up police hours). That proves the laws are 
there not because they are about drug policy but the control of the citizens.

This "war" on drugs would be ended not because we no longer believe 
pot is a threat, but because it is profitable. That's legalizing 
crime for a money motive.

There are those who say the end justify the means; our government 
needs more revenue. In reality money not spent on pot (and its 
taxes), is spent elsewhere. Hence our close-to-zero savings rate and 
the falsehood of money are coming from thin air.

GLENN VANDRESE

East China Township, May 18
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom